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2006
Manchester United Premier Nike Cup
The Vardar ’92 U14 Girls
team competed in the Manchester United Premier Cup over the
Memorial Day weekend. The tournament was only for U14 boys and
girls and was held at Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton,
Oregon. The tournament was by invitation only and consisted of
the top 20 boys and girls teams from across the country. The
winners of the tournament earned all expenses paid trips to the
Manchester United Premier Cup finals in Manchester England for
the boys and to the world’s largest soccer tournament, the
Gothia Cup, in Gothenbrug, Sweden for the girls.
The Vardar girls performed exceptionally well placing 2nd
in the tournament. All teams had to play 7 games over the 5-day
tournament. In round robin play the girls went 2-1-1 and were
able to take a second place finish in their bracket, which
earned them a bid in the playoffs. From there things began to
roll. The girls defeated the Chicago Eclipse in the
quarterfinals when Anna Sieloff stopped an amazing 3 out of 6
Penalty kicks to break the 0-0 tie. The semifinals brought to
the field the Southern Cal Blues. Again, Anna Sieloff stepped
up her game, stopping 2 more PKs in the overtime shootout for
the win and chance at the finals.
The Manchester United Premier Cup Championship game saw two
talented teams, our own Vardar Girls and the Southern Cal United
girls. Both teams were equally matched and ready to play.
Shortly into the first half a bobbled ball found its way into
the net putting the Vardar girls down by one. Frantic and
intense play followed with Vardar dominating the majority of the
game. A breakaway goal by SoCal United sealed the deal late in
the second half resulting in a 2-0 loss for our Vardar girls.
If there were an award given away for heart, these girls would
have earned it. The girls went to play with stitches, Patella
Femoral Pain syndrome, hip bursitis, a sprained ankle, torn
meniscus, pulled quad, and most amazing of all, one girl had a
pacemaker put in in March; they all played. Nothing stops these
girls, they are truly amazing and a wonderful part of our club.
Congratulations girls, we applaud you! |
